Steam-heating system



Aug. 12, 1924. 1,504,958

J. J. LA WLER STEAM HEA'JING SYSTEM Filed July 22 1919 [lf/ness Patented Aug. l2,

GWW tor...

STEAM-HEATING SYSTEME.

Application tiled July 22, 1919.

To all whom t may cof/wcm.'

Be it known that l., JAMES J. LAWLER, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Pelham, in the county of Westchester and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Steam-Heating Systems, of which the following is a specification.

rfhe primary object of the present invention resides in the provision of a steam heating system wherein the steam conduits of the system are normally open to the atmosphere and are adapted to be closed by thermostatically controlled devices operated by steam passing through the conduit initially to eliminate all air from the conduit tor permit an unrestricted circulation of' steam therethrough.

A further object of the invention includes in a steam heating system, which is thermostatically closed to the atmosphere, means for returning` steam condensation to the boiler that is automatic in its operation and wherein the condensation is elevated to a point above the upper end of the boiler and having a steam and water separating device associated with the upper end of the condensation returning` meansV with a return pi-pe positioned between the boiler and the separating or condensing tank.

er still further object of the invention is to provide in a steam heating system., means for returningthe condensation of steam to the boiler and wherein the returning mechanism is automaticin its operation so that the operation of the device is practically continuous and uninterrupted, the condensation being automatically returned to the boiler and operating a return check valve controlling entrance to the boiler by hydrostatic pressure;

Vllith the above general Vobjects in view and others that will appear as the nature of the invention is better' understood, the same consists of the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts to be hereinafter described in detail and then specifically claimed.

@ne embodiment of the invention is shown in the ,accompanying drawing which illustrates a side eleva-tional view with parts thereof shown inI section of a boiler, heating elements associated therewith and return conduits for the condensation of steam.

Briefly described, the present invention aims to provide an improved steam heat-ing Serial N'o. 312,485.

system that is entirely automatic in its operation after a sufficient quantity of water has been placed in the boiler and the heating element is in operation, it being understood that any preferred type of heating element or elements may be employed with the boiler, there being shown a jacketed steam kettle, a glue heater' and a steam heated cylinder. main steam supply pipe forming communication between the boiler and. the several heating elements with branch pipes extending therefrom in directcommunication with the heating element while drain pipes extend from the heating element to a return pipe section that will herein be termed a riser. it thermostatically controlledtrap associated with the lower end of the riser and a separating or condensing tank is connected to the upper end thereof, a return pipe for the condensation of steam extending from the condensation tank to a point adjacent the lower end of the lboiler and preferably to the inner side of the controlling valve of the water supply pipe, while a check valve is interposed between the connection and the steam generator and is automatic in op-eration to permit the condensation to tlow from the return pipe to the boiler by hydrostatic pressure thereof created in the return pipe.

Describing the invention more fully in detail, the reference numeral l designates a steam boiler of any desired type, one that may employ coal or liquid fuel as the heat-- ing medium, the same being provided with an ordinary form of water gage 2, a steam release valve 3 and a hand valve l, the latter valve being in communication with the steam chamber of the boiler l by the pipe 5.

Steam generated in the boiler passes through the pipe 5 into the main delivery pipe 6, the passage of which is controlled by the hand operated valve 7 while a plurality of branch pipes 8, 9 and l() extend from the delivery pipe 6 to heating elements 1l, l2 and 13, the passage of steam through the branch pipes 8 to 10 being controlled by the hand .operated valves llt., l5 and 16 and the pipes 8 to l0 respectively.

The heating elements may be in the form of anyV device that it may be desired to heat by steam, conventional forms being shown, such as a steam aclreted lrettle ll, a pair of glue pots l2 and a steam heated cylinder i3, but it is to be understood that any other form of heating element may be substituted thereifor as the type of heating element does not enter into the speciiic invention.

The steam heated elements 11, 12 and 13 are attached respectively to branch drain pipes 17, 18 and 19 that communicate with the main line return body which connects the lower end or" the riser 21. A valve 22 controlled in its operation by any type ot thermostat desired, such as is indicated by the numeral has a pipe connection 24 with the lower end of the riser 21, the purposes ot which Will presently appear. The upper end of the riser 21 extends to a horizontal plane above the boiler 1 and carries at its upper end the horizontal branch pipe 25 in communication with the upper end ot' the water and steam condensing tank 26, a vent pipe 27 extending outwardly of the upper end ot the condensing tank 26 and having a valve 28 thermostatically controlled as at 29, While the outlet Vin the tank communicatingwith the pipe 27 is adapted to be closed by a valve on the stem 30 operated by a system ot levers including a pair of depending brackets -0land -c-- and a lever fpivoted to the bracket -cand carrying a float 32. A link -gconnects the lever -f to one end of the link tcarried bythe bracket eZ- and to Which link the valve stem is attached. A return pipe 33 extends from the lower wall ot the condensing` tank 26 on the main water supply pipe 34 and is connected thereto to the boiler side of the valve 35, a check valve 36 being provided in said connection between the pipe 33 and the boiler 1 to permit the condensation in the pipe 33 to flow past the same and into the boiler, and to prevent a back-flow of the Water from the boiler.

With the structural details specifically described, and it being desired to cause the passage and circulation or" steam to the heating elements 11, 12 and 13, it being understood that the valve 22 controlling the eX- haust of the steam from the system and the valve 28 exhausting to the air, are open with the surfaces of the heating element,

. valves and pipes being cold, steam formed in the boiler 1 will pass through the pipe 5 into the main supply pipe 6 with the valve 7 open and into the branches 8, 9 and 10 and by Way of the valves 14n, 15 and 16 to the heating elements and from the .heating elements to the drains 17, 18 and 19 to the main return pipe 20. The steam principally exhausts through the pipe 24C by way of the valve 22 while air escapes through the riser Y 21, branch25, condensing tank 26 and outer pipe 27 by Way of the valve 28 to the atmosphere. Steam continues to escape, clearing the system of all air until the parts are suitliciently heated to cause an operation of the tnermostats 23 and 1for automatically closing the valves 22 and 28 thus locking the steam heatingV system against the atmosphere and preventing the entrance ot air thereto. Atter the steam passes through the tnermostat 23 operating to close the valve 22, water ot condensation lying in the pipe 211- and thermostat 22 will contain suticient heat, due to the passage ot steam through the system, to retain the valve 22 closed. Also, steam condensing in the tank 26 will have heated vapors or light steam arising therefrom to canse the thermostat 2S) to close the valve 28.

lilith the steam heating system in tull operation, steam will pass through the pipe sections to the heating elements and heat radiated through said elements will cause a partial condensation ot' the steam, the same draining 'troni the heaters through branch pipes 17, 18 and 19 into the main return line 26 and the ifondensatitm together with steam will lill the pipe 24 as tar as the valve 22 and will then be. ele Arated in the riser 21. subA stantially in the manner as illustrated, the water olf condensation being in the form ot small bodies or slugs ---aseparated by steam bubbles or slugs ---J--- to the horizontal pipe 25 Ytor entry into the condensing tank 26 whereupon water oit condensation will tiowirom said condensing tank into the return pipe 33 and partially till the same as indicated by the reference character -c--. The column ol water in the return pipe ch is supported at a certain height by the boiler pressure on the check valve 36, but due to the elevation of the water of condensation in the riser 21 and hydrostatic pressure in the return pipe 33, the pressure in the boiler 1 upon the check valve 36 is overcome and the water ol condensation permitted to iiow past said cheek valve and into the boiler thus causing a continuous return circuit for the water of condensation coming trom the heating elements. lith the natural operation of the steam heating system, the lioat 32 and valve 30 remain functionless, the steam passing upwardly oi the riser 21 filling the tank 26 and pipe 27 as tar as the valve 28, but should the check valve 36 prove to be 'laulty and permit a .leakage by back pressure in the boiler, the rise of water in the pipe -cwould elevate the tloat 32 and through the system of levers 31 close the valve 30 upon its seat so that water would not flow outwardly thereof to chill the valve 28 and cause the thermostat therefor to open same. The water in the pipe 2li; is practically maintained at sutlicient temperature to cause the thermostat to retain the valve 22 in closed position by being disposed in proximity ol the return pipe 20, but should .the water in said pipe eli'ect the opening of the valve, the immediate introduction into said pipe of steam and hot water will quickly close the drain with the restoration of a complete circuit tor the steam and condensation.

ilo

From the above detailed description of the construction and operation of the invention, it will be understood that the gist thereot resides principally in the elevation of the condensation of steam to the condensing tank with a return pipe from the condensing tank to the boiler, the upper end of the riser and condensing tank being spaced above the boiler to create hydrostatic pressure in the return pipe for an automatic operation of the check valve controlling the return entrance to the boiler. It is to Abe understood that any preferred form of valve may be substituted for the ones illustrated by the reference numerals 22 and 28 as well as a replacement by an eflicient thermostatic device to be used in lieu of the ones herein illustrated. The specific form of heating elements does not enter into the invention, conventional 1forms being shown while the valve for controlling the outlet to the separating tank 26 may bei readily substituted by another one. boiler l may be increased by opening the valve in the supply pipe 34 to permit a flow of water past the check valve 36 into the boiler.

What I claim as new is l. Means for effecting a flow of steam condensation comprising a steam generator,

The column of water in theheating elements in communication therewith, a riser for condensation, a thermostatically controlled exhaust associated with the lower end of the riser, and a return pipe in communication with the upper end of the riser.

2. Means for eifecting a flow of steam condensation comprising a steam generator, heating elements in communication therewith, a riser for condensation, a thermostatically controlled exhaust associated with the lower end of the riser, a thermostatically controlled valve associated with the upper end of the riser, and a return pipe in communication with the upper end of the riser.

3. Means for effecting a flow of steam condensation comprising a steam generator, heating elements in communication therewith, means for returning condensation to the generator comprising a riser, a thermostatically controlled exhaust associated with the lower end of the riser, a separating tank for steam and water adjacent the upper end thereof, a hydrostatic pressure pipe between the tank and generator, and a check valve positioned between the hydrostatic pressure pipe and the generator.

In testimony whereof I aiiX my signature.

JAMES J. LAWLER. 

